The Honoree - Fall 2017

A newsletter for Acadia’s Distinguished Alumni and Honorary Degree Community

The Honoree

Issue 3 | fall 2017

A new beginning It’s my pleasure as President and Vice Chancellor to extend my congratulations and a very warm welcome to you, our most recent honorary degree recipients. Your contributions to society in the fields of business, human rights, education, healthcare, and scientific research exemplify the excellence for which Acadia is known and it was a privilege for us to recognize your achievements at Convocation in May. I encourage you to read more about your 2017 classmates in this year’s edition of The Honoree.

While I have only been at Acadia for a short time, my acquaintance with this wonderful institution dates back to my time at Dalhousie and Saint Mary’s, and my subsequent career in higher education across Canada allowed me to observe and appreciate Acadia from afar. As I mentioned in my Installation Address in October, I could never have dreamt, when I arrived at St. Mary’s in 1979 to take up a nine-month teaching position, that I would one day find myself as President of an institution which I so greatly admired, above all because of its unwavering commitment to the student experience, to excellence and innovation, and to our alumni and the community at large.

My pride in Acadia was strongly reinforced by the outstanding caliber and character of our newest honorees. As members of the Acadia family, I hope you will have an opportunity to spend time with our students and faculty if you are visiting campus, and to join fellow alumni at upcoming events at home and around the world. You are always welcome, and we are grateful for the honour you bring to our University.

My Acadia journey is just beginning and I look forward to sharing it with all of you.

In Acadia spirit,

Dr. Peter J. Ricketts

Honorary Degree Recipients Dr. Conville S. Brown, MBBS, MD, FACC, FESC Doctor of Science

Dr. Brown has developed many medical enterprises that practice

A renowned cardiologist,

Bahamas Heart Centre and, through private and personal

medical pioneer and prolific

investments, introduced colour echocardiography, nuclear

health care developer,

cardiology, telemedicine, pacemakers, defibrillators, digital

Dr. Conville Brown (’79)

mammography, hemodialysis and numerous other services.

has devoted his life to the good health, welfare and service of others. A noted philanthropist and man of many firsts in medicine, his affinity and affection for Acadia have served the University well by engaging our alumni community in the Bahamas and adding value and prestige to recruitment conversations with prospective students and their parents.

his signature “partnered care” model, which assures access to advanced services, public or private, to all, irrespective of the ability to pay, insured or not, rich or poor. He founded The

At the invitation of Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda, Dr. Brown built the Medical Pavilion Antigua, home to the Cancer Centre Eastern Caribbean for the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States as the OECS’s first sub-regional specialist medical centre for cancer and soon home to the Heart Centre Antigua and Imaging Centre Antigua.

The Institute for Advanced Medical Procedures will make advanced technologies available to medical tourists years before

Dr. Brown attended The Bahamas Government High School, Acadia and Dalhousie Universities in Canada, and the University of the West Indies, Jamaica. After specialty training at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, he returned home as the youngest qualified and certified internist and cardiologist in the Bahamas and Caribbean. Dr. Brown was also the first Bahamian and third Caribbean cardiologist inducted

availability in North America.

Special awards include The Bahamas’ Legend in the Field of Medicine, Jones Communications Network’s Civil Society Person of The Year, and The Bahamas’ Icon Award for Health. Dr. Brown has been honoured also by The Caribbean Cardiac Society for his contributions to medicine.

into the American College of Cardiology and the European

He is married to Dr. Corrine Sin Quee-Brown and they have three

Society of Cardiology.

children: Conville Stephan, Corey Samuel and Chelsea Samantha.

Sandra Irving, CM Doctor of Humanities

University, the University of Toronto and Dartmouth College, and

Sandra Irving was born in Saint

They are similarly dedicated to young people’s athletic aspirations

John, New Brunswick. She

and support some of our leading New Brunswick athletes.

received her Bachelor of Arts Degree with Distinction from the University of New Brunswick and a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Toronto.

are personally committed to their scholarship students’ success.

Sandra’s commitment to country and community is seen in her service to many non-profit, public service organizations – from arts, to health care, and community organizations. She has been a key figure in helping Junior Achievement raise financial support for entrepreneurial business studies, which prepare the next generation for business leadership. She served as a member of

Sandra Irving is a community leader in Atlantic Canada. She and

the Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission. As

her husband Arthur strongly support education through student

Chair of the President’s Advisory Council for the Royal Society

scholarships, mentorship and exchange programs. They have

of Canada: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences,

created opportunities for students in both Canada and the United

she highlighted the importance of supporting Canada’s leading

States with scholarships at educational institutions, including

scholars and researchers. She was instrumental in establishing

the University of New Brunswick, Acadia University, St. Thomas

the organization’s Atlantic chapter and is an honorary Fellow

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Issue 3 | fall 2017

Honorary Degree Recipients of the Royal Society of Canada. Sandra is a strong supporter

with the Tuck School of Business. She worked closely with her

of medical research, and she and her husband Arthur have

husband Arthur and daughter Sarah and with Irving Oil in the

endowed Chairs in Cardiology and Neurology. She is a cancer

establishment of the Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and

survivor and is committed to supporting cancer research in

Society (September 2016).

finding a cure.

In June 2014 Sandra was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow by

Sandra plays an important role in supporting the community

the Rotary Club of Saint John for her many years of ‘service

initiatives of Irving Oil. Together with her husband Arthur,

above self.’ She was presented with the Queen’s Diamond

Chairman of Irving Oil, she was actively involved in the planning

Jubilee Medal in recognition of her volunteer and public service

and development of the K.C. Irving Environmental Science

activities in October 2012 and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee

Centre and the Harriett Irving Botanical Gardens at Acadia

Medal in 2003. In 2010 she, together with Arthur Irving,

University, a gift from the Irving family. Together with Irving

was awarded the World Baden-Powell Scout Fellowship for

Oil, Ducks Unlimited and Acadia University, their commitment

community service. She is an Honorary Degree recipient from

to research and education led to the development of the

the University of New Brunswick and St. Mary’s University. On

Beaubassin Environmental Research Station in Aulac, New

July 1, 2015 she was named to the Order of Canada for her

Brunswick. At the University of PEI, their support of the Atlantic

outstanding service to her country.

Veterinary College was recognized at the opening in March 2014 of the Arthur and Sandra Irving Community Care Centre.

At Dartmouth College, Sandra and Arthur Irving have funded scholarships for Canadian students, developed the Sandra L. and Arthur L. Irving Professor of Economics endowed chair, and help fund undergraduate students in business in partnership

Sandra enjoys music, bicycling, running and mostly spending time with her husband Arthur and daughter Sarah and her dogs. Her many years of continued service and contributions represent a lifelong commitment to the importance of education, helping others and the betterment of society.

Maureen A. McTeer, BA, MA, LLB, LLM, DLitt (Hon), LLD (Hon) Doctor of Civil Laws

legal and ethical issues, and her goal is to bring citizens into the

Maureen McTeer is a

of genetic research that can identify and now manipulate the

distinguished Canadian

human genome before and after birth, and questions of equity

lawyer and author who is

and fairness at the beginning and end of our lives.

currently an adjunct professor of law at the University of Ottawa and a member of the Global Commission on Pollution, Health and Development. She earned graduate degrees from the University of Ottawa, (BA, LLB), Dalhousie

discussion and debate on all the major issues which will shape our future, from the patenting of human life forms, to IVF and related reproductive technologies, to the public policy implications

As an expert on reproductive technologies, genetics and the law, Ms. McTeer has taught and lectured at the Universities of Ottawa, Calgary and British Columbia in Canada, and at the University of California at Berkeley, American University and George Mason University in the United States.

University (LLM in Health Law), and the University of Sheffield in

In addition to her ongoing advocacy for women’s equality and

the United Kingdom (MA in Biotechnological Law and Ethics).

health in Canada and abroad, Ms. McTeer has published four

For four decades, Ms. McTeer has been a leading advocate for, and symbol of, gender equality in Canada, and has been an influential role model for other women in Canada and abroad. Her interests and engagement span a wide range of challenging social,

best-selling books, including: Residences: Homes of Canada’s Leaders; Parliament: Canada’s Democracy and How it Works; a personal memoir, In My Own Name; and Tough Choices: Living and Dying in the 21st Century, all of which are also available in French.

Issue 3 | fall 2017

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Honorary Degree Recipients Ms. McTeer is an activist in community and volunteer

of Canada; and Chair of the Advisory Board of the Shirley E.

organizations. She served as the co-Chair of the National

Greenberg Women’s Health Centre in Ottawa.

Experts Commission of the Canadian Nurses Association; is a member of the Global Commission on Pollution, Health and Development; a lay member of the National Council of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (20082011); a member of the Accreditation Committee of Canadian Medical Schools; a mentor for the Trudeau Foundation; as a member of the Board of Governors of the University of Ottawa; a member of the Calgary International Organ Festival; a member of the international White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood;

For that volunteer and public advocacy work, she has received several honours including: The Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons case; the Queen’s Gold and Diamond Jubilee Medals; honorary degrees from the University of Sheffield in the UK, Carleton University in Ottawa, and the University of Athabasca in Alberta; and the DIVA Award for Outstanding Contributions to Women’s Health and Well-Being, to name a few.

the national Patron of the Canadian Osteoporosis Society; a

Ms. McTeer is married to the Rt. Hon. Joe Clark. Their daughter

member of Canada’s Royal Commission on New Reproductive

Catherine Clark is a national broadcaster, and with her husband

Technologies; a candidate for election to the House of Commons

Chad Schella has two young children, Alexandra and Charlie.

Rick Tobias, MDiv Doctor of Divinity

Mission (YSM) to work with street-involved youth, demonstrating

Rick Tobias has been

spiritual poverty.

a strong advocate and supporter of low-income and marginalized people for more than 35 years. He has encouraged and inspired people living in poverty to recognize their worth and to realize their potential while

love, peace and justice to people living with economic, social and

Rick brought radical change to established ways of serving those in need. He led Evergreen into greater engagement with donors, neighbours, and community leaders. Due to his leadership and vision, Rick was appointed Executive Director of YSM in 1989.

He completed his role as CEO in 2012, and since that time has served as the Community Advocate for the Mission.

A frequent speaker on Canadian poverty, urban ministry, youth-

challenging church communities, business and professional

at-risk, and strategies for community-wide change, Rick has

leaders, and elected officials to understand their roles in

appeared often in the media and is sought after as a consultant

responding to human need.

and coach. His insights and convictions spark commitments in

A native of Saint John, New Brunswick, Rick is a two-time graduate of Acadia University, completing a Bachelor of Arts (’76) and a Master of Divinity (’81). He also graduated from the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education in Chicago.

others he meets and in 30 years of teaching at Tyndale University College and Seminary, where he has introduced courses on Urban Ministry, Understanding Poverty in a Canadian Context, and Responding to ‘High Risk’ Youth.

Rick was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from McMaster

He has pioneered models for others who seek to serve in a

University and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from York University.

diverse urban context, and his aptitude for communicating faith-

Rick has been in ministry since 1973, and has provided leadership to churches and organizations in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Chicago, and Toronto. In 1983, he became the Director of the Evergreen branch of Toronto’s Yonge Street

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Issue 3 | fall 2017

based values and vision draws in people of all faiths and with no specific faith. They are moved to act, including business and religious leaders, churchgoers and secular audiences, students and scholars, social service managers, and front-line workers.

Honorary Degree Recipients Robert S. Walker, PhD, FCAE Doctor of Science

From 2009 to 2012, Dr. Walker served as the Chair of the NATO

Dr. Robert Walker has had a

the Chair of the Board for the Network of Centers of Excellence

distinguished career in public

in Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response

service in various leadership

(MEOPAR), hosted by Dalhousie University. Dr. Walker is a

roles, both domestic and

member of the Council of Advisors of the Conference of Defence

international.

Associations Institute and a director and past Chair of the Board

From November 2010 until his

Research and Technology Board, the senior oversight body for cooperative research within the NATO framework. He is presently

of the Pembroke Boys and Girls Club.

retirement in September 2015,

Dr. Walker earned a BSc in Physics from Acadia University

Dr. Walker was with Atomic

(’73), an MEng in Engineering Physics and a PhD in Electrical

Energy of Canada Limited, a federal Crown Corporation, first as

Engineering from McMaster University. He is fondly remembered

Senior Vice-President Nuclear Laboratories and from October

at Acadia by former faculty in the department as a “dedicated

2011 as the corporation’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

student, and a gentleman.” At his graduation in 1973, he was

From November 2014, he was concurrently the first President

awarded the Governor General’s Gold Medal.

and CEO of AECL’s wholly owned subsidiary, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories.

In 2013, McMaster awarded Dr. Walker an honorary Doctor of Science and in 2015 the Royal Military College of Canada

Prior to joining AECL, Dr. Walker had a career of 33 years

awarded him an honorary Doctor of Engineering. He is a

as scientist, manager and executive with the research and

graduate of the National Defence College and a Fellow of the

development arm of the Department of National Defence. From

Canadian Academy of Engineering. Dr. Walker is a recipient of

August 2005 until November 2010, he was the Assistant Deputy

the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service and the

Minister Science and Technology at DND and the Chief Executive

Canadian Nuclear Association’s 2015 Ian McRae Award of Merit.

Officer of Defence Research and Development Canada.

For a full list of Acadia’s Honorary Degree and other distinguished award recipients please visit our Advancement website https://www2.acadiau.ca/alumni-friends/alumni/awards.html

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Alumni Profile

Dr. Katherine Bick (BSc ’51, MSc ’52, DSc ‘90) A pioneer in early Alzheimer research, Dr. Katherine (Kit) Bick (’51)

later studies, and Alzheimer’s Disease: The Changing View, which

has devoted her life to researching dementia. An internationally

provides a personal look at both scientists and families who led the

renowned neurobiologist, known for her groundbreaking work in

efforts for increased dementia research.

Alzheimer research and policy writing, Bick was a leading member in the foundation of the Alzheimer’s Association.

In 2007, looking to give back to Acadia for the education she received, Kit established the Livingstone-Murray Scholar-Bursary,

Born and raised in Clyde River, PEI, she graduated from Prince of

named after her parents. The scholar-bursary is awarded annually

Wales College in 1947, before continuing on to Acadia University

to an entering or returning student, with preference given to those

where she received her BSc (Honours) in biology in 1951, and a

in biology. “I wanted to provide today’s Acadia students some

master’s degree in 1952. She earned her PhD in biology from Brown

help and encouragement in their studies, as I was lucky enough to

University in 1957.

receive years ago during my time at Acadia. Paying it forward, so to

Following graduation, Kit held research positions at the University

speak,” says Kit.

of Western Ontario and UCLA School of Medicine, and academic

Kit has received many awards throughout her illustrious career

positions at California State University (Northridge) and Georgetown

including the PHS Superior Service Award (1986), Senior Executive

University. She joined the National Institute of Neurological and

Service Bonus Award for Performance (1984-88), and the NIH

Communicative Disorders and Strokes’ (NINCDS) Neurological

Director’s Award (1977). In 1989 she received a Presidential Senior

Disorders Program in 1976, where she developed research

Rank Award. She received an honorary degree in science from

programs focused on the degenerative diseases of the brain. She

Acadia University in 1990 and a Doctor of Laws from the University

was named Deputy Director of NINCDS in September of 1983

of Prince Edward Island in 2016 for her extraordinary work in

and later served as Deputy Director of Extramural Research at

Alzheimer’s research.

the National Institutes of Health from 1987 until 1990. There she coordinated the development and implementation of policies affecting NIH extramural programs.

After her departure from the NINCDS, Kit worked on epidemiological studies of dementia in Italy and the United States in partnership with the National Research Council of Italy and the World Health Organization. She became a scientific consultant to numerous foundations including the Charles A. Dana Foundation and the Dana Alliance for Brain Research.

She is the author of several books, including Alzheimer’s Disease: Senile Dementia and Related Disorders, an important book for

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Issue 3 | fall 2017

Although retired, Kit occasionally returns to her work. In the summer of 2015, she spoke at the NeuroConX Innovation Exchange in Charlottetown, PEI, on the topic of “How Senility Became a Disease: The Early Years”.

Kit lives in a retirement community in Chapel Hill, North Carolina close to her son and daughter-in-law. She enjoys international travel adventures, spending time with her grandchildren, and she comes home to PEI almost every summer.

Alumni Profile Aboriginal students at Acadia compared to only a handful a decade ago. In 2011, Acadia signed an MOU with the Confederacy which led to the hiring of Acadia’s first Aboriginal Student Advisor and the creation of the Indigenous Student Society of Acadia, a body that contributes to the well-being, development and support of all Indigenous students, many of whom find themselves in an unfamiliar academic and living environment.

In the past dozen years, Don has worked with virtually every

Dr. Donald Julien

university in Nova Scotia and is now working with Mount Allison. In addition to receiving more Honorary Degrees from many of them,

The entry in the 2005 Convocation programme beside Honorary

he has been a member of university Boards and Senates. “I am

Degree Recipient Don Julien describes him as a man who has

often asked by university Presidents what it takes to successfully

“dedicated his life to the study and advocacy of the rich culture and

address the needs of Aboriginal students and I tell them that they

history of the Mi’kmaw people of Nova Scotia.” In 2017, following

have to invest their own time,” says Don. “Leadership comes from

the 2015 release of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation

the top and I rarely turn down an opportunity to engage and to

Commission of Canada, Don is busier than ever in his role as

provide advice. But there is always a time to step away and turn

Executive Director of the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq of Nova

over responsibility to others and we are seeing more First Nations

Scotia – a position he has held for 25 of the 30 years he has worked

professors and student advisors. The risk with few Aboriginal people

for the Confederacy.

in leadership positions is that we’ll see them burn out, but at least

“I have no time to grow old,” Don says he tells people. “I’m 68 and

we’re heading in the right direction.”

I plan to work at least until I’m 75. This is probably the best time

Never fully able to disengage from his research, Don has just

to be involved in the work I do. Our young people are becoming

completed a 255-page book on the 93 Mi’kmaw veterans of

increasingly aware of their own capacity and non-aboriginal

WWI that he will publish next year on the 100th anniversary of the

young people understand better than at any other time what our

1918 armistice. He holds deep respect for the men and women

communities want to achieve. As our communities become better

in Canada’s military and, foreshadowing more books in the works,

educated, they are asking more and more of our organization and

quickly notes that there were 126 Mi’kmaw soldiers involved in

we have an exceptional group of people who work for us – half of

WWII and 23 in the Korean Conflict. His interest in military history

whom are non-Aboriginal.”

runs deep. He was Honorary Colonel with the 3rd Army Intelligence

Don, who oversees 65 employees, has been working for more than 50 years since he joined the Queen’s Own Rifles in the Canadian

Company in Halifax (2011-14) and is currently Honorary Colonel at the 5th Canadian Divisional Training Centre in Gagetown.

Armed Forces in 1966. He has had many different jobs including

“I am often asked to speak about Mi’kmaw history,” says Don. “To

dishwasher, cook, bartender, academic researcher, management

do it right takes two full days. It’s hard to cram 13,500 years into

consultant, and federal civil servant. He landed at the Confederacy

a two-hour lecture. It doesn’t do our history justice and it really

in 1986 just after the organization was started by Dr. Dan Paul to

doesn’t provide the audience with the full context. There’s a lot to

promote and assist Mi’kmaw communities across a broad range of

cover just in the last 90 years alone, including Residential Schools,

community development activities.

Indigenous people being recognized as citizens of Canada in 1956,

In 2004, Don received the Order of Nova Scotia for his work

and finally being granted the right to vote in 1960.”

just before receiving his Honorary Degree from Acadia, which

Dr. Don Julien lives and works in Millbrook, Nova Scotia. Two of his

kick-started an affiliation with Acadia faculty and students that

four children, sons Troy and Justin, are Acadia graduates with Troy

established the foundation for work being done on campus today.

recently celebrating 21 years with the RCMP. Between swimming

Don’s influence encouraged Acadia to begin asking Aboriginal

and hockey, Don’s two grandchildren keep him running between the

students to self-identify and today there are more than 100

pool and the hockey rink.

Issue 3 | fall 2017

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Upcoming Events Boston Annual Pan-Canadian University Alumni Reception November 7, 2017 New York Canadian Association of New York (CANY) Reception November 7, 2017 London Reception November 9, 2017 Campus AUS Football Loney Bowl November 11, 2017 Colorado All Canadian Universities Alumni Reception November 13, 2017 Campus Founder’s Day November 15, 2017 Toronto Reception November 23, 2017 Hong Kong Guided Nature Walk December 2, 2017 Campus Advent Service December 3 2017 Montreal Reception December, 2017 Ottawa Holiday Social on the Hill December 6, 2017 Campus Bawtree & Bernhardt Stage Naming December 7, 2017 Halifax Holiday Meet & Greet December 13, 2017 Singapore * Reception January 23, 2018 Kuala Lumpur * Reception January 24, 2018 Hong Kong * Reception January 26, 2018 Halifax USports Men’s Basketball Championship March 8-11, 2018 Halifax Gala Dinner April 12, 2018 Campus Acadia Alumni Association AGM May 12, 2018 Campus Spring Convocation May 13-14, 2018 * These events yet to be confirmed.

Alumni News Chancellor Libby Burnham (’60) with Vice-President, Advancement Dr. Rod Morrison, Dr. John Clark (’52) and President Dr. Peter Ricketts at Summer Reunion 2017.

(Photo: Peter Oleskevich)

On Oct. 4, 2017, Acadia raised the Grand Council Flag of the Mi’kmaw Nation above University Hall, where it will fly permanently alongside the Canadian, Nova Scotian, and Acadia University flags.

(Photo: Grant Lohnes)

More than 600 Acadia alumni enjoyed the Backyard Barbecue at Clark Terrace on Oct. 14 as part of Homecoming Weekend 2017!

(Photo: Fred Sgambati)

Wolfville Mayor Jeff Cantwell, Dr. Peter Ricketts and Chief Sidney Peters representing the Glooscap First Nation at the Installation Ceremony.

(Photo: Peter Oleskevich)